Akshaya Tritiya: Significance & Guide To Celebrate

Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej is a festival which is celebrated by Hindu devotees with great spirit & enthusiasm. The third ‘Tithi’ or Date of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the Moon) in the Hindu Lunar month of Vaishakha is known as Akshaya Tritiya. It is a festival which is considered extremely auspicious and it is believed that one who celebrates this festival with utmost devotion, gets blessed with wealth, prosperity and opulence in life.

The literal meaning of Akshaya Tritiya can be understood by knowing the meaning of the two Sanskrit words that comprise this festival’s name. Akshaya means- that which never recedes (prosperity & grace, in this context) and Tritiya means- third (date, in this context). 

According to the eternal Hindu faith, the day marks the beginning of the "Satya Yuga", the age of truth and righteousness. As per the Holy Scriptures, if a person performs any ‘Puja’ (Worship) & ‘Daan’ (Donation) on Akshaya Tritiya then the ‘Punya’ (Good Karmic) effects of those are multiplied manifold and the person enjoys those Punya effects till eternity.

The festival has both spiritual and material significance. Devotees offer their heartfelt prayers to Maa Laxmi (The Supreme Goddess of Wealth & Prosperity) and Lord Vishnu (Husband of Maa Laxmi and the ‘Preserver’ among the Holy Trinity). On the material level, it is a day of investment and new beginnings, where people make important purchases and investments, such as buying gold, property, or starting a new business.

In this article, we will explore the significance of Akshaya Tritiya in detail, discuss traditional and modern ways of celebrating the festival, and provide tips for making the most of this auspicious day. It does not matter whether you are a practicing Hindu or curious about knowing the Hindu faith & culture, this article will shed light on the auspicious festival of Akshaya Tritiya.

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What is the Significance of Akshaya Tritiya?

Akshaya Tritiya is a festival that is celebrated by Hindus and is of great importance & significance. The festival has both historical & spiritual significance, as well as material significance.

Historical Significance:

The 6th incarnation or avatar of Lord Vishnu- Lord Parshurama was incarnated on Akshaya Tritiya. On this day, Lord Parashurama received a divine axe from Lord Shiva, which he used to destroy the evil Kshatriya kings and restore peace and righteousness on earth.

In the Mahabharata era, Lord Krishna gave the ‘Akshaya Patra’ which was the divine bowl that provided the desired quantity of food, to the five Pandavas during their period of exile on the day of Akshaya Tritiya.

Spiritual Significance:

Akshaya Tritiya is also considered a highly auspicious day for spiritual pursuits, such as meditation, charity, and seeking the blessings of the divine. The scriptures say that a person reaps the good karmic benefits of any good/auspicious karma performed on this day, till eternity.

The day is associated with Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity, and Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. People offer prayers to these deities and seek their blessings for a prosperous and fulfilling life. People also worship Lord Kuber who is the ‘Treasurer of Heaven’ for getting His blessings to enjoy & lead a life of opulence & prosperity.

‘Indian Astrology ’ offers you an opportunity to make the most out of this Akshaya Tritiya 2023 by getting a Laxmi Puja and or a Dhan Kuber Puja being performed in your name. Since Lord Kuber is an ardent devotee of Maa Laxmi, it makes perfect sense to worship Lord Kuber along with the deity that He Himself worships i.e Maa Laxmi.

So, what are you waiting for?

Book a Laxmi Puja as well as a Dhan Kuber Puja to be performed in your name on Akshaya Tritiya 2023 and get blessed by abundant wealth, opulence & prosperity in your life. 

Material Significance:

On the material level, Akshaya Tritiya is a day of investment and new beginnings. It is a popular belief among people that this is an auspicious occasion to make an investment for the long-term. Hence, people often buy gold, property, or start a new business on this auspicious day.

The day is also associated with the agricultural harvest season, as it falls during the springtime when crops are ready for harvest. Hence, farmers offer prayers to the divine for a bountiful harvest and seek their blessings for a prosperous year ahead.

In summary, Akshaya Tritiya holds great significance in Hindu culture as a day of good fortune and prosperity. The festival has both historical and spiritual significance, as well as material significance, and is celebrated with great fervor and joy across India and other countries.

Akshaya Tritiya 2023: Key Details That Must Be Kept in Mind

The festival of Akshaya Tritiya will be celebrated with incredible festive spirit by devotees on 22nd April 2023. It must be kept in mind that the total duration of the specific Tritiya Tithi or the third date as per the Hindu Lunar (Moon based) calendar will be from 07:49 AM on 22nd April till 7:47 AM on 23rd April 2023.

Devotees are advised to perform the Puja (worship ritual) in the ‘Shubh Muhurat’ (astrologically backed auspicious time) which is from 07:51 AM till 12:19 PM on 22nd April 2023.

Akshaya Tritiya: Traditions Associated with this Festival

Puja and Offerings:

On the day of Akshaya Tritiya, people wake up early in the morning and take a ritual bath. Heartfelt prayers with utmost devotion are offered by devotees to Maa Laxmi & Lord Vishnu. The puja ceremony usually involves reciting mantras, lighting incense sticks, and offering flowers, fruits, and sweets to the deities.

Donation and Charity:

Akshaya Tritiya is also a day of charity and giving. Devotees make donations as it is believed to multiply the good karmic effects of such deeds, manifold on this day. The nature or type of donation varies among people e.g food, clothes, money etc. to those in need.

Purchase of Gold:

People have been buying gold on Akshaya Tritiya since times immemorial. This is because Akshaya Tritiya opens up the divine doorway of wealth & prosperity and gold is considered as an asset that provides financial security & growth. Hence, people flock to jewelry stores and buy gold coins, jewelry, or other items as a symbol of wealth and prosperity.

Planting Trees and Crops:

Akshaya Tritiya is also associated with the agricultural harvest season. Hence, farmers often plant new crops or trees on this auspicious day, seeking the blessings of the divine for a bountiful harvest and a prosperous year ahead.

Fasting and Feasting:

Some people observe a fast on Akshaya Tritiya, while others indulge in feasting and celebrations. People enjoy delicious meals in their family and among friends/near & dear ones.

All in all, the festival of Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated by people in an enthusiastic manner. The festival has many traditional customs and rituals associated with it, such as puja, donation, buying gold, planting crops, and feasting. These customs reflect the deep-rooted belief in the divine and the desire for good fortune and prosperity.

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Modern Ways to Celebrate Akshaya Tritiya:

While the traditional ways of celebrating Akshaya Tritiya continue to be popular, modern ways of celebrating the festival have also emerged in recent times. Here are some of the modern ways of celebrating Akshaya Tritiya:

Online Shopping:

With the advent of e-commerce, many people prefer to buy gold and jewelry online on Akshaya Tritiya. Online stores offer a wide variety of options and discounts, making it easier and more convenient for people to shop from the comfort of their homes.

Digital Donations:

In the digital age, many people prefer to make donations online instead of in-person. Several charity organizations now offer online donation options, making it easier for people to contribute to a good cause on Akshaya Tritiya.

Virtual Puja:

With the ongoing pandemic, many people are opting for virtual puja ceremonies on Akshaya Tritiya. Online platforms such as ‘Indian Astrology’ allow people to book online Pujas for themselves and seek blessings from the deities.

Eco-Friendly Celebrations:

As awareness about the environment grows, many people are opting for eco-friendly celebrations on Akshaya Tritiya. Instead of buying gold or jewelry, some people are choosing to invest in eco-friendly products or services. Planting trees, recycling, and reducing plastic waste are some of the eco-friendly ways to celebrate the festival.

Social Media Celebrations:

Social media platforms have become a popular way to celebrate festivals like Akshaya Tritiya. People share festive greetings, photos, and videos on social media, and connect with friends and family who may be far away. Social media also provides a platform to raise awareness about the significance of the festival and share traditional customs and rituals with a wider audience.

In conclusion, modern ways of celebrating Akshaya Tritiya are emerging, reflecting the changing times and preferences of people. Online shopping, digital donations, online puja, eco-friendly celebrations, and social media festivities are some of the modern ways in which people celebrate the festival. However, the underlying spirit of the festival remains the same – to seek blessings from the divine for good fortune and prosperity.